3G Content

In 2007, CDC Mobile invested in BBMF Group, a 3G content provider in Japan -- the first of CDC Mobile's targeted investments through 3G Content Partner Program designed to provide first-mover advantage in the then anticipated 3G content market in China. BBMF Group was a market leader in 3G content in Japan with one of the largest mobile comic site and mobile online game site in Japan and one of the largest library and fastest growing number of files and titles available for download on any carrier. The company licensed the right to publish mobile versions of over a thousand comic titles by nearly five hundred authors. Japan was an early adaptor of 3G with more than sixty percent of mobile subscribers already using 3G handsets by that year. The 3G content market in Japan was projected will be over a billion dollars by 2008. In addition to investing in 3G content providers, CDC Mobile created its own original content for the 3G marketplace. The company recently agreed to provide exclusive distribution in China of highly popular South Korean mobile games, videos, music, and fashion advertisements.

Growth of Comics and Manga Mobile Apps

Comics and manga have seen a significant rise in popularity on mobile apps due to the increasing digitization of content and the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. The digital format is appealing for its portability and ease of access - users can carry an entire library of comics and manga in their pocket and access it at any time. The development of dedicated apps for reading comics and manga has also played a critical role. These apps, such as ComiXology, Marvel Unlimited, Webtoon, and Shonen Jump, offer vast libraries of titles, spanning various genres and eras. They provide user-friendly interfaces that enhance the reading experience with features like guided view technology, which allows readers to follow a comic panel by panel on a small screen. Furthermore, the rise of webcomics and independent digital publishing platforms has opened doors for a plethora of new artists and stories, adding to the popularity of the medium on mobile devices.